Free Kiss and Tell by Cherry Adair Page B

voice.
    "I'll try to get her over, too. If not, she's not stupid. She'll head for the cabin and keep out of sight. I'll make sure she's returned to you."
    "Promise?"
    "Yes."
    "How, if you're dead?" She looked him straight in the eye without flinching. "Tell me how you think you can fight all those men by yourself!"
    "You'll get your dog back. On my word."
    "You'll see her personally to my front door in Sunnyvale."
    "You'll get the dog back."
    "You," she insisted roughly, "personally. To my front door." Snow, like bits of lint, drifted around them. Her cheeks were pink with the cold, her eyes hot, her mouth— He jerked his gaze to the soft strands of wind-ruffled fair hair framing her face.
    Without thinking, Jake tucked a strand back under her damp knit cap. It felt like the finest Chinese silk. A few filaments caught on the calluses on his thumb. He absently rubbed the silky length between his fingers, getting more pleasure than he deserved from the small tactile treat.
    His eyes met hers, and he saw they held a gleam of fear, anger, and anticipation. He let his gaze skim down and linger on her mouth.
    Plump, soft, arousing. Don't go there, buddy . His blood pounded, a compelling primal beat.
    Marnie narrowed her eyes at that look. "Don't change the subject!"
    Jake dipped his head. He just wanted a taste. A refresher, to see if their last kiss could possibly have been as profound as he remembered.
    He didn't want to talk about hand-delivering her dog. He didn't want to think about all the wet work he had to do in the next few hours. He didn't want to contemplate what he would have to do to her if the visitors were her allies.
    They had another fifteen minutes together, tops. The last kiss they shared was to be quick. Quick, he promised himself, touching his mouth to hers.
    *
    God, he tastes good . Desire shot through her. Shocking and intense. How could a mere kiss affect every nerve ending in her body? She could have gone on kissing him forever.
    The second he stopped kissing her, Marnie opened her eyes and gave him a mild look, as if the kiss had been no big deal. But her heart was going a million miles an hour.
    He gave her a quirky look back, then picked up a goopy handful of mud. Resigned, she closed her eyes again, knowing what he was about to do.
    "You're sure this is absolutely necessary?"
    "I'm not taking any chances." He smoothed it over her cheeks and chin. Icy mud. Warm hands. "Okay, open."
    She opened her eyes.
    Duchess stood watching them, head tilted, eyes puzzled at this new game. The dog whined hopefully.
    Marnie could just imagine what she looked like. "This isn't a game, girl. Shhh."
    Jake was busy smearing his own face. Marnie grimaced, then dug a handful of the dark sludge and covered her hands.
    "You look like you know what you're doing." Jake followed suit, then wiped his right palm down the leg of his jeans.
    "War games. Ninth grade. Kane had a friend I had a crush on that summer. It was either blend in with the boys or have Grammy teach me how to make ribbon roses."
    They stood at the same time. Jake drew his gun, then held it loosely in his right hand. The weapon was big, black, and menacing. He indicated their direction. She and Duchess led the way through the trees, Jake close behind them.
    The river was a good mile away. It had been years since Marnie had explored this part of the mountain. The terrain was steep and slippery. The trees grew closer together here, and the sparse undergrowth made the going easier, despite the fact that they were heading uphill. Oppressive clouds added to the wind chill. Pockets of snow shone white on the ground.
    Every noise spooked her, although she managed not to jump each time a branch snapped or a rabbit raced through the undergrowth. Not that she didn't have every valid reason in the world to be incontinent right now. Her gaze darted from tree to tree, waiting for one of the ninjas to pop out.
    Well, she'd wanted a grand adventure. Be careful what you wish for